Labour and Liberal Opposition Dissatisfied with Commons Statement Made by Mr. Chamberlain TRONG criticism was voiced Longion, Mar. 25. in the House of' Commons last evening by both the Labour and Liberal Opposition to the important pronouncement on Great Britain's foreign policy made by Mr, Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, who announced Britain's inability to ive a guarantee on the independence of Czechoslovakia; rejection of Russi 's invitation to a conference to discuss the German coup Austria; acceleration of Britain's rearmament programme.
Both Mr. C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, and Archibald Sinclair, Leader of the Liberal Opposition, expressed profound dissatisfaction with the statement.
There was no division at the end of the debate, which wi fas wound up for the Government by Sir John Simon, Chancellor which the discussion had taken amid loud Ministerial cheers.
"We are witnessing In Abyssin China, Danzig. Spain and Austria," Sit Archibald Sinclair said, "the application of force in. defiance treaties and pledges. If Hitler and Mussolini continue unhindered,—we shall soon be numbered among. the /e, at Toast, have ay much cause to be interested in the independence of Czechoslovakia' to-day os. inthe mdepenclenee of Serbia in 1914, Hitler and Mussolini regard Britain as decadent and irresolute, The Government wants to avoid war, but is drifting towards it"
"What was required, he continued, wax a system of mutual assistance by peace-loving Powers, "and an offer to Germany and ftily that, it they agreed to disarmament and the submission of all disputes to third party Judgment, "we are. agreeable to the establishment of an International commission to consider grievances Like the question of colonies.
"Amazing Credullty"
Mr. Attlee was surprised that Mr. Chamberlain should show such amazing credulity after the oceurrenee in Austria and all the profes sions Briiain had of good faith.
Mr. Chamberlain's speech; he said, should have contained a note of re-elution and confidence, but. it was Absent, The Government did not seem to realize the full gravity of th situation and the need for posi-tivo, not mere negative, acti Britain Makey No Threats winding up the debate for the Government, Sit John Simon declarced that their potiey was, at whatever ost, to make the country safe by making it strong. They believed that this was the best guarantee for pence.
"We. are making no threats." aid, "but we shall show, and invite the country to show, determination, which will be all the more impres-Theease It will be the determina of a free people, his polly tally for eu-operation from each, according to the help he of the Exchequer. The bill on place was passed unchallenged now undertake new and specific commitments, and, in particular, such a commitment In relation to Czechos~
The existing commitments of His Majesty's Government were:
Betence of, France and Belghum agsigat nprafoned "aggression "uncer obligations to 3 under the Covenant, In connection with Britain's obliga ions under the Covenant, the Premier cited the definition of the position by Mr. Anthony Eden, when the latter, as "Foreign Secretary, said: "In our armaments maybe used ing help to a victim of aggres-any case where, in our judgment, it would be proper, under the provisions of the Covenani, to do so."
Such a case, Mr. Chamberlain remarked parentnevcally, might include Czechoslovakia, and he further cited Mr. Eden as follows: "I uso the word may" deliberately since, In such an Instinee, there Is no automatic obligation to take military action, "Tt s, moreover, right that this should 40, for nations cannot be expected {0 incur automatic military obliga tions save for areas where their vital Interests are concerned."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.